Pacquiao spars with local pug

Manny Pacquiao sparred for four rounds with fellow Pinoy boxer Leonardo Doronio at the Elorde Gym in Pasay City, displaying his old pugilistic brilliance, with six weeks to go before his November 5 fight against World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“It was really a great honor to spar with Senator Manny, a world class champion,” Doronio, 27, told The Manila Times late Thursday. “I’m so happy to spar with him because I was able to learn what I need to improve.”

Despite wearing a headgear during the sparring session, the Iloilo native Doronio said that Pacquiao’s heavy and fast combinations were jarring.

Leonardo DoronioCONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“Sir Manny’s punches are too heavy and fast. He was solid and tough. I was even hurt. I gave my best and tried myself to hit him with all I’ve got but I always hit nothing. He impressively avoided my punches because he’s very quick. It is too exhausting to hit air,” Doronio said.

Pacquiao said that Doro­nio will be his sparmate for the week, “That’s just a sparring. I will get Doronio to be my sparring partner this week while waiting for coach Freddie (Roach) and the sparring partner he would bring.”
Roach is expected to arrive within the week bringing along Olympian Jose Ramirez, which will be Pacquiao’s sparring partner.